Monthly Archives: January 2013

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” ~ W. Somerset Maugham

I have a hard time believing they’re only three rules to tell you the truth. I figured it would be more like fifty three or one hundred three. Anyway, three rules and nobody knows what they are. Well, there may be three ‘official’ unknown rules, but I’m going to try to lay out my three rules. 🙂

Rule #1- Write! Write when you feel like it, write when you don’t feel like it, write all the time, just write! You’ll never get that book written if you don’t take time to sit down and write it. And I know all about ‘I don’t have enough time’. I know that argument only too well. I work all week at my ‘day’ job, tutor some nights, help my son with his school work, edit my novel that’s about to come out and still I’m trying to make time to write!

Rule #2- Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t write. Just because they’re afraid to sit down and write a novel doesn’t mean you need to cave into their fear. Let them spend their lives wondering ‘what if’. Don’t join them on the bench. Become active in your own dreams, otherwise they’ll never come true. 🙂

Rule #3- I don’t know what to write about. Write about something that interest you. Find something you’re passionate about and give voice to it. You’ll be surprised how easily the words flow when you do.

Well, there you have it. My loose interpretation of the three rules of writing. What are some of your rules?